Former Sunderland midfielder Don Hutchison has claimed that the time is right for manager Gus Poyet to drop Vito Mannone.
The Italian goalkeeper has conceded 10 goals in his last two Sunderland outings, three of which have been scored as a result of his errors.
Looking ahead to next Monday evening's trip to Crystal Palace, Hutchison believes that Poyet should now turn to Costel Pantilimon, who joined the Black Cats from Manchester City during the summer.
"Goalkeepers can suffer from a lack of confidence like anyone else and it might be the right time for Gus to take Mannone out of the firing line," Hutchison wrote in the Sunderland Journal.
"When Joe Hart was going through a difficult patch at Manchester City last season, Manuel Pellegrini's solution was to bring in Costel Pantilimon, and that is what Gus needs to do for Monday's game at Crystal Palace.
"I would imagine as a goalkeeper that sometimes you're better off out of the firing line and watching and learning from the bench. That would probably be the fairest thing for Mannone right now."
Sunderland have shipped 17 goals in nine Premier League matches this term.
Liam Apicella
